In coordination with chapter 7 involving modern literature we were asked to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I have to say that when I first got the book I wasn't really interested in it. The illustrations on the front cover seemed to childish for me at my oh so grown up age of 16. I received the book as a birthday present from my brother, who had heard great things about the story. The book sat on my shelf for several months, before I picked it up one day when I was bored. I began to read and was quickly pulled into the magic and wonder that was Harry's world.
For anyone out there who hasn't read Harry Potter, this is the basic plot: Once upon a time there is a tiny little baby left on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle's house in the middle of the night when the baby's parents are killed. The boy grows up to be Harry Potter, the mistreated nephew of two horribly mean Englanders. Strange things had always happened to Harry all his life, but no one could explain them, and his aunt and uncle certainly wouldn't discuss them nor Harry's parents. Then the day came when Harry received his wonderful news- he had been accepted to Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and he is the most famous person of the wizarding world! Stunned, he is whisked away by a half-giant named Hagrid, who becomes his first ever friend. He enters a world he never knew existed- a world of flying brooms, magic potions, and people who can transform at will into animals. He soon befriends two other students at the school, Ron and Hermione (pronounced Her-my-oh-knee) as well as two enemies, spoiled Draco Malfoy and greasy Professor Snape the Potions Master. Harry must face many obstacles at school, not only from classes and bullies, but also from a great evil that lurks within Hogwarts' itself.
This story truly is for any age from birth to adulthood. It teaches the value of friendship, loyalty, love, and using your head. And for anyone skeptical of reading this book because of religious reasons or other personal feelings, don't be. This book is no more "evil" or harmful than any of the fairy tales we've all enjoyed as kids. In fact, Harry Potter is much like a modern day Cinderella, only everyone can do magic instead of just the fairy godmother! Believe me when I say, this book will absolutely excite the imagination.